UNITED NATIONS

JOURNAL

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Seventeenth Session of the Conference of the Parties
17–28 August 2026
UNCCD
Friday, 28 August 2026
Content last updated on: 28 Aug 2026 04:19 CEST

Programme of Meetings and Agenda

Conference of the Parties

A.M. TBC
COP is to follow immediately after the adjournment of the COW 6th meeting
Plenary Hall

COP 13th meeting

Organizational matters (Item 1)

 

(d) Credentials of delegations (ICCD/COP(17)/13)

 

      Action on draft decision ICCD/COP(17)/L.1

 

(f) Organization of work, including the sessions of the subsidiary bodies

 

      Consideration of the report of the Committee of the Whole: ICCD/COP(17)/L.7, ICCD/COP(17)/L.15, ICCD/COP(17)/L.16

 

      Action on draft decisions of the Conference of the Parties: ICCD/COP(17)/L.4, ICCD/COP(17)/L.5, ICCD/COP(17)/L.8, ICCD/COP(17)/L.9, ICCD/COP(17)/L.10, ICCD/COP(17)/L.12 and ICCD/COP(17)/L.13.

 

High-level segment (Item 6)

 

      Action on draft decision ICCD/COP(17)/L.11

 

Report on the session (Item 9)

 

      Action on draft decision ICCD/COP(17)/L.6

 

Committee of the Whole

10 a.m.-TBC
Plenary Hall

COW 6th meeting

Final report of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework of the Convention (Item 3)

 

     Action on draft decision ICCD/COP(17)/L.7

 

Policy frameworks and thematic issues (Item 5)

 

  • Drought

 

     Action on draft decision ICCD/COP(17)/L.15

 

Programme and budget for the biennium 2027-2028 (Item 7)

 

     Action on draft decision ICCD/COP(17)/L.16

 

Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention

A.M. TBC
CRIC is to follow immediately after the adjournment of the CST 5th meeting
Plenary Hall

CRIC 7th meeting

Procedural matters: Programme of work for the twenty-fifth session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (Item 5)

 

      Action on draft decision ICCD/CRIC(24)/L.1

 

Adoption of the report of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (Item 6) 

 

      Action on draft proposals

 

Committee on Science and Technology

A.M. TBC
CST is to follow immediately after the adjournment of the COP 13th meeting
Plenary Hall

CST 5th meeting

Organizational matters (Item 1)

 

(a)  Adoption of the agenda and organization of work

 

Adoption of the report of the Committee on Science and Technology (Item 7) 

 

       Action on draft proposals

 

Contact groups

Time TBC
MET-15

COW Contact Group on Budget

(closed meeting)
Time TBC
MET-11

COW Contact Group on Other Matters

(closed meeting)
Time TBC
MET-12

CRIC Contact Group

Time TBC
MET-13

CST Contact Group

(closed meeting)

Regional consultations

The designations employed do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
9 - 10 am
MET-26

EU Coordination Meeting

(closed meeting)
10 - 11 am
MET-27

JUSCANZ - Consultations

(closed meeting)
1 pm - 2 pm
MET-31

League of Arab States

(closed meeting)

Meetings of the Regional Implementation Annexes

8:30 - 10:00 am
MET-10

Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Latin America and the Caribbean (Annex III) (GRULAC)

(closed meeting)
9 - 10 am
MET-08

Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Africa (Annex I)

(closed meeting)
9 - 10 am
MET-09

Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Asia (Annex II)

(closed meeting)
9 - 10 am
MET-28

Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Northern Mediterranean (Annex IV)

(closed meeting)
11 - 12 pm
MET-25

Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Central and Eastern Europe (Annex V)

(closed meeting)

Other meetings

The designations employed do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
8 - 10 am
MET-30

Indigenous Peoples Caucus

(closed meeting)
8 - 9 am
MET-09

Pacific SIDS Daily Coordination Meetings

(closed meeting)
8 - 9 am
MET-22

Sub-Committee on Services, Catering, Food Supply and Hygine

9 - 10 am
MET-03 (CSO)

CSO Consultation

(closed meeting)
10:30 - 12:00 pm
MET-14

Private Meeting : Dismantiling of the Conference Center

(closed meeting)
5 - 6 pm
MET-16

COP Press Conference

Side events

The information below is reproduced as received and does not imply any opinion or endorsement by the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
8:30 - 10:00 am
MET-02

480 (New Nomad Institute and Carnegie Climate Mobility Network) Reimagining Climate Mobility from Human-scale to Nation-scale

8:30 - 10:00 am
MET-01

699 (Secretaría Ejecutiva de la CCAD) Resiliencia y restauración de tierras en Centroamérica: experiencias regionales frente a la sequía y degradación de la Tierra

10:30 - 12:00 pm
MET-01

135 (Commonland) Making System Change Practical: Landscapes, Policy, Finance and the Future of Restoration

10:30 - 12:00 pm
MET-04

265 (International Livestock Research Institute; GIZ; BMZ; International Land Coalition; WWF; German Institute of Development and Sustainability; Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources; Government of Kenya) Priority Policies, Partnerships and Investmen

10:30 - 12:00 pm
MET-05

566 (FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit (PSUI)/ FAO Pastoralists Knowledge Hub (NSA), FAO/IYRP steering committee/ FAO Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food and Knowledge systems and other partners) From Rangelands to Resilience: Indigenous Peoples’ Mobility, F

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
MET-06

234 (FAO, Landstack, International Land Coalition, Global Land Alliance, TMG-Think Tank, LGT Philanthropy) Stewards of the Land: How IP & LC Community Stewardship Drives Land Restoration and Delivers the Rio Conventions

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
MET-02

284 (University of Bristol) Strengthening Evidence-Informed Desertification Policy Through Local Engagement and Traditional Knowledge

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
MET-04

403 (IFAD Agri-PDB Platform) Restoring Agricultural Lands and Preventing Degradation: Financing Solutions through Public Development Banks

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
MET-01

440 (ENDA ENERGIE) Sharing Lessons from LDN Implementation to Achieve Voluntary Targets

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
MET-07

686 (World Resources Institute) Financing Farmland Restoration at Scale: Unlocking Investment to Deliver the 250 Million Hectare Commitment

3:00 - 4:30 pm
MET-01

651 (Global Water Partnership Southern Africa) Drought, Gender and Investment: Mobilising Climate-Resilient Water and Land, Source-to-Sea Finance

Announcements

Registration for delegates

  • Country Parties to the Convention, accredited Observer organizations by the COP (UN and Specialized Agencies, Intergovernmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Business and Industry Entities), Parliamentarians, Mayor, Side Event participants and Media may register to attend the sessions of UNCCD.
  • The registration link for COP 17 can be found here.
  • In order to facilitate verification of requests for registration at the conference, all participants are required to upload a copy of their national passport and an official nomination letter confirming their capacity to attend the session.
  • Participants are also required to upload a standard passport photo to accelerate on-site registration and badge collection.
  • Please be reminded that multiple registrations for the conference are not permitted (e. g. registration as a Country Party and/or an observer organization and/or media representative). Only one registration with the corresponding conference badge can be issued to an individual at any given time.
     

Conference badge collection

  • Conference badge is only issued to duly registered and approved participants.
  • Upon first arrival to the venue, participants are requested to proceed to the registration desk and present their passport (or nationally approved photo identification card) for badge issuance.
  • Participants with valid conference badges can directly access the venue through the security and badge control, where their badges will be scanned. There is no need to stop by the registration desk unless there are any registration or badge issues.
  • Participants are requested to always wear their issued conference badges in order to gain access to the conference centre.
  • Kindly be aware that misuse of conference badge at all UNCCD conferences is prohibited and may lead to permanent suspension of your registration.

Registration desk opening hours

DayDateOpening hours
Friday28 August 20267:30 – 14:00

Any changes to the opening hours of the registration desk will be communicated in the Official Journal of the session.

Credentials

Delegations are advised to contact Ms. Aphrodite Smagadi (+976 99204285) in Office no. 0-15.

PRAIS Reporting Helpdesk

Need support with UNCCD national reporting or the PRAIS reporting platform?

The PRAIS Reporting Helpdesk is available throughout COP 17 in Zone C (connecting corridor next to the DSA Office).

Support is provided daily between 09:00 and 18:00.

Delegates and reporting teams are welcome to visit the Helpdesk for technical assistance and guidance related to reporting requirements and the use of PRAIS.

Zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse

Inclusion Is Protection 

The United Nations maintains a strict policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) — a commitment that applies equally to persons with disabilities, who can face heightened risk and greater barriers to reporting. 

Every staff member, volunteer, and partner shares responsibility for creating accessible, safe, and respectful spaces for everyone we serve.

Stop, Prevent, Protect 

  • STOP – Zero tolerance for inaction on reports of SEA 
  • PREVENT – Training and accessible awareness for all personnel 
  • PROTECT – Confidential, survivor-centred support with no retaliation

The UNCCD Conference App

The UNCCD Conference App is an easy tool for participants of official UNCCD events to have access to the latest schedule of events at COP17, including official sessions and meetings, as well as side events in the Blue Zone.

The App also contains all official documents and other relevant information related to the UNCCD process and conference logistics, for COP, CST and CRIC, and allows you to receive notifications on changes. 

The App is available in Apple and Google Play store. 

Medical Support and Emergency Response

Medical services will be provided throughout the event by qualified healthcare professionals, ensuring that assistance is readily available. The Medical Care Centers are  located in the (1) Registration Area , in (2) Zone A, near MET-10; and in (3) ZONE C near MET-16.

Emergency Response:

  • Immediate Action: Medical vehicles will be stationed on-site to ensure a rapid response in case of emergencies.

  • Coordination with Local Services: Collaboration with local emergency teams will be ensured to manage serious medical situations effectively.

  • Health and Safety Standards: All procedures will adhere to the most current guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and local health authorities.

  • Ambulance Placement: Ambulances will be strategically located at key areas, including the Blue Zone and VIP sections, to ensure quick access to medical care.

You can find a list of Emergency Contact Numbers HERE. 

Ulaanbaatar Emergency number is 105 (reachable without a SIM card). 

Electronic Information Service

Delegations are advised that wireless internet access is available throughout the venue. The network name is UNCCD-Public, and the password is unccd1706

A Computer Center is located in Area-C, providing 100 workstations and printing facilities. An ICT Helpdesk counter is also available in the same area to assist with technical support.

A link to the stream of the meetings of the COP 17 session can be found on the UN Web TV website, the COP 17 page of the UNCCD website.

Meeting Rooms for Regional and Interest Groups

Requests for inclusion in the schedule of meetings of regional and interest groups should be communicated to:

Kayhan UI ( kul [at] unccd.int (kul[at]unccd[dot]int) ) or Mahamadou Tari Bako (mbako [at] unccd.int (mbako[at]unccd[dot]int) ).

Shuttle schedule

Several shuttle buses are being offered by the Government of Mongolia. The full schedule can be accessed here:

https://unccdcop17.org/

Lost and Found

The Lost and Found service is located near the Registration area, offering convenient access near the Main Entrance.